check Steve on LATINJAZZALIVE.ORG!!! a great source for all Latin Jazz lovers
Steven Vibert
Pouchie was born in New York City. He attended Stuyvesant High
School in Manhattan, and after graduating, received a scholarship to
Bard College. While attending Bard and pursuing a degree in
Economics, he came under the tutelage of Roswell Rudd, a renown Jazz
Trombone player and teacher, who inspired Steve to study music. He
began to play congas, marimba, and piano and achieved over a three
year period, forty credits in music theory and Jazz improvisation.
Though never formally trained as a Vibraphonist and mostly self
taught, Steve began to play professionally in 1982, after meeting
and marrying his wife, Naomi, who encouraged him to pursue his
career in music, while working during the day as an eventual Sales
Manager for a multinational corporation, Rickett and Coleman, up to
1992.
He began to develop a repertoire which centered on the songs and
arrangements of his two favorite Latin Jazz vibe players, Cal Tjader
and Tito Puente. Since then he has shared the stage and played with
the likes of Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco, Louie Ramirez, Charlie
Palmieri, Jimmy Sabater, Dave Valentine, and many other local
musicians that have helped to support Steve in his musical vision.
He and his Latin Jazz Ensemble have played at Lincoln Center, City
Hall, Lehman College, Hunter College, Hostos Center for the Arts,
The Puerto Rican Day Parade, and has also played at such prestigious
events as the SOMOS El Futuro Conference in Albany, The Bronx
Borough President's Inauguration, and the Bicentennial Celebration
of New York. He plays regularly in clubs and concert venues in the
metro New York area.
In 1989 Steve founded the New York Latin Jazz Society, as a way to
develop playing venues for various Latin Jazz bands, and as a result
helped to develop Latin Jazz nights, first in the Castle Gate Sports
Bar and thereafter at The Inner Circle, Willie's Steak House,
Montezuma's Restaurant, Jimmy's Bronx Cafe, The Mon Ami Lounge,
Johnny O's, and most recently Gino's Bronx Cafe.
In 1993 Steve was offered a position as Music Teacher at the Herman
Ridder School, in the Bronx, which was the Alma Mater of Al Pacino
and Herbie Mann. After three years, he was sought after by Walton
High School, after having completed many local concerts with
students from the school, and has continued there to the present,
and holds the position of Performing Arts Coordinator. His work in
education has become recognized by the Board of Education, as he has
developed the first Digital Piano Lab, Audio Technical Course, and
CD Recording Studio in the Bronx High Schools. His approach to music
education is being modeled by many music teachers on the elementary
level, and his work with students is developing into the first real
research into music education and its higher learning effects, on
inner city students.
In 1995 Steve, via the Latin Jazz Society's umbrella, expanded his
efforts to promote the Latin Jazz experience with the development of
the first cable music series, dedicated to new and emerging artists,
playing in the local Latin Jazz venues. As a result "Latin Jazz
Alive n' Kickin" was born and since then has been airing
continuously in all the major Public Access networks in New York.
This show has undoubtedly made a lasting impression on the New York
community, as well as exposing many an emerging band or artist to
the larger viewing audience.
In October of 2004 Steve was awarded the New York Liberty Medal
which was presented to him by Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Kelly
at New York's Gracie Mansion. He was selected for this prestigious
award, out of many educators, for his influential work as a music
teacher in the Inner City schools.
Steve's present endeavor is the publishing of his newly developed
website,
LatinJazzAlive.org, which has been
initiated as a appendage to the cable show, because of all of the
calls that have been received over the years. It is dedicated to the
promotion of Latin Jazz music, and to the ongoing education of the
cyber audience, to the historical importance of the Latin jazz
movement.
STEVE POUCHIE - VIBE MANIA (2002)
Steve Pouchie
Vibes
Cucho Martinez Bass
Joe Torres Piano
Al Acosta Sax
Connie Grossman Flute
Guido Gonzalez Trumpet
Jose Rivera Bongo, cowbell
Dave Santiago Vocals
Eddie Cruz Vocals
Willie Everich Vocals
Panchero Mambero
Alonzo
Para Ti
Maria
A Night In Tunisia
Wachi Wara
Philadelphia Mambo
more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels
